Movie Review: Disneynature Born in China #BornInChina

I received an all expense paid trip from Disney to attend the #Cars3Event. The opinions expressed here are my own and I received no monetary compensation. #BornInChina

Disneynature’s BORN IN CHINA opens in theaters on April 21. While at the #Cars3Event press trip, I had the privilege of screening BORN IN CHINA. I first screened this amazing film with my family at the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration and it was even better the second time around. Make plans to see the movie during opening week (April 21-27) and Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund will make a contribution to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to help protect wild pandas and snow leopard in China. I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate Earth Day! Scroll down for my thoughts on the movie.

ABOUT BORN IN CHINA

Narrated by John Krasinski (“13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi,” NBC’s “The Office,” “Amazon’s “Jack Ryan”), Disneynature’s new True Life Adventure film “Born In China” takes an epic journey into the wilds of China where few people have ever ventured. Following the stories of three animal families, the film transports audiences to some of the most extreme environments on Earth to witness some of the most intimate moments ever captured in a nature film. A doting panda bear mother guides her growing baby as she begins to explore and seek independence. A two-year-old golden monkey who feels displaced by his new baby sister joins up with a group of free-spirited outcasts. And a mother snow leopard—an elusive animal rarely caught on camera—faces the very real drama of raising her two cubs in one of the harshest and most unforgiving environments on the planet. Featuring stunning, never-before-seen imagery, the film navigates China’s vast terrain—from the frigid mountains to the heart of the bamboo forest—on the wings of red-crowned cranes, seamlessly tying the extraordinary tales together. Opening in U.S. theaters on Earth Day 2017, “Born in China” is directed by accomplished Chinese filmmaker Lu Chuan, and produced by Disney’s Roy Conli and renowned nature filmmakers Brian Leith and Phil Chapman.

PANDA FUN FACTS

China is the only place in the world where giant pandas live in the wild.

Giant pandas-often referred to as just pandas-live in central China in sections of the Sichuan, Shaannxi and Gansu provinces at elevations ranging from 5,000-10,000 feet. The temperate forests they live in produce 30-40 inches of precipitation each year-which is good for bamboo.

China has 67 protected reserves to help save existing panda habitat.

Giant pandas are black and white. One theory is that the distinct coloring helps them spot each other when it comes to mating. Another is that the coloring serves as camouflage-particularly when the animal is up in trees.

The gestation period for pandas ranges from 3-5 months. The average female produces 5-8 cubs in her lifetime. She can start reproducing at 4-5 years old.

Cubs weigh 3-5 ounces at birth-about the size of a stick of butter. Mom is 900 times bigger. Cubs are born pink, hairless and blind. They don’t venture far from mom till they’re about six months old-though they nurse till they’re eight- to nine months old.

Pandas leave their mothers for good at about age 3.

Giant pandas are bears-but they don’t hibernate. They do, however, spend a lot of time resting and sleeping-when they’re not eating.

Pandas eat up to 40 pounds of bamboo every day. They have a pseudo thumb-or modified wrist bone-to help grip the bamboo. They also occasionally eat meat.

Pandas live a solitary lifestyle, but they do communicate with each other with sounds and scent. They make goat-like cries and squeaks. To signal nearby giant pandas, they’ll rub a waxy substance on trees that’s secreted from scent glands at the base of their tails.

Giant pandas will scratch tree bark with their massive claws as a visual sign of where they’ve been-it’s like they’re writing a quick note to their friends.

BORN IN CHINA REVIEW

BORN IN CHINA is rated G and makes for a wonderful and educational family film. We quickly fell in love with the animal families featured in the film. Without giving away any spoilers, there are a few emotional scenes (but nothing overly gory). John Krasinski, the narrator, provides just the right amount of comedic relief to the story. I regularly had to remind myself that these animals are not computer generated, but real live animals. That is what makes this film so beautiful and raw. I’m a huge fan of Disneynature movies and recommend them for all ages!

My family walked away from the movie with a greater appreciation for these majestic animals. We had some great conversations about ways we can protect the environment, which will in turn protect these creatures that stole our hearts. My 6 year old deemed this film one of his favorite Disney movies of all time, possibly tied with Moana (that’s huge). I was thrilled when he wanted to learn more about pandas and golden monkeys after the film. The activity packet was a great place to start! I can’t wait to see this film again with him and continue learning more about China and the animals that call it home.

I'm Vanessa and it's my mission in life to spread my love of hot glue guns and glitter to others. I suffer from craft ADHD, regularly working on at least 10 projects at the same time and my craft room looks like a tornado hit it. My first craft book, Party in a Jar, was published in 2014. I look forward to crafting with you!